Admissions & Aid

Whether you are attending college for the first time or are changing careers, no other
institution offers you the advantages of a Collin College education. As you will see,
Collin College is among the finest in the nation.

Resources

Whether you are a current student or a prospective student we hope you will take advantage
of the many resources that are available within the Student and Enrollment Services
Division. Our goal is to support students in achieving their academic and career goals.

About

Since offering its first classes at area high schools in 1985, Collin College has
expanded to serve about 55,000 credit and continuing education students each year.
The only public college based in the county, the college offers more than 100 degrees
and certificates in a wide range of disciplines.

Early Childhood Educator

Whether you want to be a teacher or just enjoy working with young children, the child
development program at Collin College could be the perfect starting point for you.
Early Childhood Educator certificate and degree programs are designed to prepare you
to study at a four-year university and for entry-level positions working with young
children and their families.

The program emphasizes a developmental approach to promote the physical, social, emotional
and cognitive growth of the children you will work with. Students acquire knowledge
and skills that prepare them to create developmentally appropriate, nurturing environments.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) program provides performance-based training
of childcare professionals who work with children from birth through age 8.

Collin's child development program is accredited by the National Association for the
Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is the only program in Texas to have NAEYC
accreditation while holding exemplary status with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board. Coursework is applicable as in-service training for teachers, administrators,
nannies and family day home providers.

If you plan to transfer to a college or university, be sure to check with Collin
academic advisors and the degree requirement of the intended transfer college before
beginning this program to verify course degree applicability. If you plan to obtain
a bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) accepts Collin
College’s AAS-Early Childhood Educator. Check with an advisor at TWU for more information.
Additional colleges also accept Collin College courses in Child Development; check
with individual colleges for their requirements.

Program Requirements

1. Enroll in a Collin child development course.

2. Within the first two weeks of their child development course, students must complete
required paperwork to begin lab observations. A copy of a negative tuberculosis test
result may be required. Continuing students may need to re-submit tuberculosis results
every year.

3. Complete and sign a student record form as a contract to ensure the following:

Verification that the student has read and agrees to abide by the Texas Minimum Standards
for child care centers

Verification that the student has read and agrees to follow the laboratory student
guidelines

Students must undergo and pass a criminal background history check by the Texas Department
of Protective and Regulatory Services

Provide a notarized affidavit that confidentiality and professional discretion will
be observed at all times

Personal release for videotaping for instructional purposes

Complete a Degree Plan (two-part document found on Collin’s website under Getting
Started / Admissions / Forms or in the Admissions Office) and submit to an advisor

It is the student's responsibility to keep all information current.

If your program requires a criminal background check, your placement in a required
clinical site, cooperative, practicum, internship, and/or licensure/certification
opportunity may be impacted. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact
your program director and check with your licensing/certifying entity, if any, to
determine your status.